Tourism goes green

SMALL TOURISM

The Department of Tourism’s Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP) is encouraging privately-owned enterprises to reduce their costs by adopting responsible practices, such as saving water and energy.

The programme provides grants of up to R1 million to qualifying small and micro tourism enterprises to install energy and water efficient solutions.

The programme was launched in 2017, but was reviewed in 2021 to include water and energy efficiency benefits. It is implemented and administered by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu believes there will be a greater demand for new and diverse tourism offerings, especially those that promote saving scarce natural resources.

“Through the implementation of the GTIP, we envision creating a sector that is inclusive and sustainable, creating a pathway for new entrants to implement innovative

GTIP benefits

The GTIP:

• Covers the full cost of a new resource efficiency audit and of reviewing an existing audit; Appoints an assessor to conduct resource efficiency audits, to determine the best solutions to be implemented;

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Offers grant funding on a sliding scale from 50% to 90% of the total cost of the approved energy and water efficiency solutions, up to a capped amount of R1 million. The balance is to be covered by the applicant (either through own resources or from other reputable funding institutions, including the IDC).

The grant funding will be paid directly to service providers/installers.

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How to apply

The application process has two phases. In phase one, enterprises apply for the energy and water efficiency audit. In phase two, they apply for funding to implement the recommended solutions.